Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Risk of ischemic stroke in asymptomatic atrial fibrillation incidentally-detected in primary care compared with other clinical presentations

Thromb Haemost. 2021 Jun 30. doi: 10.1055/a-1541-3885. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: It is uncertain whether stroke risk of asymptomatic ambulatory atrial fibrillation (AA-AF) incidentally-detected in primary care is comparable with other clinical AF presentations in primary care or hospital.

METHODS: The stoke risk of 22,035 patients with incident non-valvular AF from the UK primary care Clinical Practice Research Datalink with linkage to hospitalization and mortality data, was compared to 23,605 controls without AF (age and sex-matched 5:1 to 5,409 AA-AF patients). Incident AF included 5,913 with symptomatic ambulatory AF (SA-AF); 4,989 with Primary and 5,724 with non-Primary Hospital AF discharge diagnosis (PH-AF and Non-PH-AF); and 5,409 with AA-AF. Ischemic stroke adjusted subhazard ratios (aSHR) within 3 years of AA-AF were compared with SA-AF, PH-AF, Non-PH-AF and controls, accounting for mortality as competing risk and adjusted for ischemic stroke risk factors.

RESULTS: There were 1026 ischemic strokes in 49,544 person-years in patients with incident AF (crude incidence rate 2.1 ischemic strokes/100 person-years). Ischemic stroke aSHR over 3 years showed no differences between AA-AF, and SA-AF, PH-AF and nonPH-AF groups (aSHR 0.87-1.01 vs AA-AF). All AF groups showed a significantly higher aSHR compared to controls. (subhazard rate ratio 0.40 [0.34 – 0.47].

CONCLUSION: Ischemic stroke risk in patients with AA-AF incidentally-detected in primary care is far from benign, and not less than incident AF presenting clinically in general practice or hospital. This provides justification for identification of previously undetected AF, e.g. by opportunistic screening, and subsequent stroke prevention with thromboprophylaxis, to reduce the approximately 10% of ischemic strokes related to unrecognized AF.

PMID:34192776 | DOI:10.1055/a-1541-3885

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Cilostazol for intermittent claudication

Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021 Jun 30;6:CD003748. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD003748.pub5.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) affects between 4% and 12% of people aged 55 to 70 years, and 20% of people over 70 years. A common complaint is intermittent claudication (exercise-induced lower limb pain relieved by rest). These patients have a three- to six-fold increase in cardiovascular mortality. Cilostazol is a drug licensed for the use of improving claudication distance and, if shown to reduce cardiovascular risk, could offer additional clinical benefits. This is an update of the review first published in 2007.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of cilostazol on initial and absolute claudication distances, mortality and vascular events in patients with stable intermittent claudication.

SEARCH METHODS: The Cochrane Vascular Information Specialist searched the Cochrane Vascular Specialised Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and AMED databases, and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform and ClinicalTrials.gov trials registries, on 9 November 2020.

SELECTION CRITERIA: We considered double-blind, randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of cilostazol versus placebo, or versus other drugs used to improve claudication distance in patients with stable intermittent claudication.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors independently assessed trials for selection and independently extracted data. Disagreements were resolved by discussion. We assessed the risk of bias with the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Certainty of the evidence was evaluated using GRADE. For dichotomous outcomes, we used odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and for continuous outcomes we used mean differences (MDs) and 95% CIs. We pooled data using a fixed-effect model, or a random-effects model when heterogeneity was identified. Primary outcomes were initial claudication distance (ICD) and quality of life (QoL). Secondary outcomes were absolute claudication distance (ACD), revascularisation, amputation, adverse events and cardiovascular events.

MAIN RESULTS: We included 16 double-blind, RCTs (3972 participants) comparing cilostazol with placebo, of which five studies also compared cilostazol with pentoxifylline. Treatment duration ranged from six to 26 weeks. All participants had intermittent claudication secondary to PAD. Cilostazol dose ranged from 100 mg to 300 mg; pentoxifylline dose ranged from 800 mg to 1200 mg. The certainty of the evidence was downgraded by one level for all studies because publication bias was strongly suspected. Other reasons for downgrading were imprecision, inconsistency and selective reporting. Cilostazol versus placebo Participants taking cilostazol had a higher ICD compared with those taking placebo (MD 26.49 metres; 95% CI 18.93 to 34.05; 1722 participants; six studies; low-certainty evidence). We reported QoL measures descriptively due to insufficient statistical detail within the studies to combine the results; there was a possible indication in improvement of QoL in the cilostazol treatment groups (low-certainty evidence). Participants taking cilostazol had a higher ACD compared with those taking placebo (39.57 metres; 95% CI 21.80 to 57.33; 2360 participants; eight studies; very-low certainty evidence). The most commonly reported adverse events were headache, diarrhoea, abnormal stools, dizziness, pain and palpitations. Participants taking cilostazol had an increased odds of experiencing headache compared to participants taking placebo (OR 2.83; 95% CI 2.26 to 3.55; 2584 participants; eight studies; moderate-certainty evidence).Very few studies reported on other outcomes so conclusions on revascularisation, amputation, or cardiovascular events could not be made. Cilostazol versus pentoxifylline There was no difference detected between cilostazol and pentoxifylline for improving walking distance, both in terms of ICD (MD 20.0 metres, 95% CI -2.57 to 42.57; 417 participants; one study; low-certainty evidence); and ACD (MD 13.4 metres, 95% CI -43.50 to 70.36; 866 participants; two studies; very low-certainty evidence). One study reported on QoL; the study authors reported no difference in QoL between the treatment groups (very low-certainty evidence). No study reported on revascularisation, amputation or cardiovascular events. Cilostazol participants had an increased odds of experiencing headache compared with participants taking pentoxifylline at 24 weeks (OR 2.20, 95% CI 1.16 to 4.17; 982 participants; two studies; low-certainty evidence).

AUTHORS’ CONCLUSIONS: Cilostazol has been shown to improve walking distance in people with intermittent claudication. However, participants taking cilostazol had higher odds of experiencing headache. There is insufficient evidence about the effectiveness of cilostazol for serious events such as amputation, revascularisation, and cardiovascular events. Despite the importance of QoL to patients, meta-analysis could not be undertaken because of differences in measures used and reporting. Very limited data indicated no difference between cilostazol and pentoxifylline for improving walking distance and data were too limited for any conclusions on other outcomes.

PMID:34192807 | DOI:10.1002/14651858.CD003748.pub5

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Use of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate with or without a Collagen Sponge as an Apical Plug in Teeth with Immature Apices

J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2021 Jul 1;45(3):165-170. doi: 10.17796/1053-4625-45.3.4.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of the apical plug performed using MTA with or without collagen sponge in immature anterior maxillary teeth with necrotic pulp.

STUDY DESIGN: The study included apical obturation of 20 upper incisor teeth from 18 patients and outcomes of 12-month follow-up. The teeth were divided into 2 groups with 10 cases in each group according to the apexification protocol (Group 1; apical plug with MTA, Group 2; collagen sponge and apical plug with MTA). The artificial apical barrier, approximately 4-mm-thick, was created with MTA in each group. Based on clinical and radiographic criteria, the outcome was assessed using the periapical index (PAI) by 2 calibrated investigators.

RESULTS: In this study, 3 of the 6 teeth (50%) in Group 1 and 5 of the 8 teeth (62.5%) in Group 2 healed at the 12-month follow-up. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups at the post-treatment follow-up times.

CONCLUSION: The use of collagen as an apical matrix prior to the MTA plug can be suggested due to favorable clinical outcomes.

PMID:34192757 | DOI:10.17796/1053-4625-45.3.4

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Comparative Evaluation of Indirect Pulp Therapy in Young Permanent Teeth using Biodentine and Theracal: A Randomized Clinical Trial

J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2021 Jul 1;45(3):158-164. doi: 10.17796/1053-4625-45.3.3.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: In a tooth with deep dentinal caries; judicious removal of infected dentin and isolating affected dentin from oral fluids with suitable biocompatible material is called indirect pulp therapy (IPT). This randomized clinical trial was done to evaluate and compare the efficacy of Biodentine, Theracal LC and. Dycal as an indirect pulp capping agent in young permanent teeth.

STUDY DESIGN: IPT was performed in 60 young permanent molars with caries approaching pulp in 55 healthy children using Biodentine, Theracal and Dycal. A 2-3mm layer of GIC was placed over the intervening material followed by restoration of cavity with composite. Clinical and radiographic examinations were conducted at 3 weeks, 3 months, 6 months,12 months, 18 months and 24 months. The data was compared using chi-square test at a significance level of 0.05.

RESULTS: By end of 24 months ,54 teeth presented for follow up with overall success rate of 100% in Theracal, 94.44% in Biodentine, and 77.78% in Dycal. Overall success of Theracal was statistically significant in comparison to Biodentine and Dycal at 24 months follow up (p= 0.03) Conclusions: Radiographic and clinical outcomes of Theracal and Biodentine suggest their use as an alternative material for IPT in young permanent molars with higher success.

PMID:34192759 | DOI:10.17796/1053-4625-45.3.3

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Comparison of Fracture Strengths among different Commonly Placed Anterior Esthetic Restorations for Primary Dentition: An in vitro study

J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2021 Jul 1;45(3):171-176. doi: 10.17796/1053-4625-45.3.5.

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to determine and compare the shear force (N) required to fracture or dislodge an all-ceramic zirconia-based crown using different luting cement with those of polycarbonate crown and strip crown for the primary anterior teeth in vitro.

STUDY DESIGN: Four groups of esthetic restoration for primary anterior teeth were tested for fracture strength: 1) Fifteen all-ceramic zirconia-based crowns cemented with glass ionomer cement, 2) Fifteen all-ceramic zirconia-based crowns bonded with a self-adhesive resin cement, 3) Fifteen polycarbonate crowns cemented with a polymer reinforced zinc-oxide eugenol and 4) Fifteen resin strip crowns. All restorations were placed and cemented on reproductions of dies in an independent laboratory at Delhi, India. All samples underwent loading until fracture or dislodgement with the Universal Testing Machine. The force in Newton (N) required to produce failure was recorded for each sample and the type of failures was also noted and characterized. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test and the Tukey and Scheffe’s post hoc comparisons were used for statistical analyses.

RESULTS: In this invitro study, results were measured in Newtons (N). Group 1 (410.9±79.5 N) and Group 2 (420.5±57.8 N) had higher fracture strength than Group 3 (330.3±85.6 N) and Group 4 (268.4±28.2 N). These differences were statistically significant at P≤.05 among the sample groups. No significant difference was found between groups 1 and 2 (P = 0.984) nor between groups 3 and 4 (P =0.104). Among type of failures, majority of restoration fractures for zirconia-based crowns and resin strip crowns were due to cohesive failures and polycarbonate crowns had predominantly mixed failures.

CONCLUSIONS: Under the limitations of this in vitro study, it could be concluded that all-ceramic zirconia-based crowns attained the highest fracture strength among all restorative samples tested regardless of the type of luting agent employed (P<.01). Cohesive failures were commonly observed in the zirconia crowns and resin strip crowns, whereas polycarbonate crowns revealed predominately mixed failures.

PMID:34192760 | DOI:10.17796/1053-4625-45.3.5

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Perception of Medical Student Mistreatment: Does Specialty Matter?

Acad Med. 2021 Jun 29. doi: 10.1097/ACM.0000000000004223. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Medical student mistreatment is pervasive, yet whether all physicians have a shared understanding of the problem is unclear. The authors presented professionally designed trigger videos to physicians from six different specialties to determine if they perceive mistreatment and its severity similarly.

METHOD: From October 2016 to August 2018, resident and attending physicians from 10 U.S. medical schools viewed five trigger videos showing behaviors that could be perceived as mistreatment. They completed a survey exploring their perceptions. The authors compared perceptions of mistreatment across specialties and, for each scenario, evaluated the relationship between specialty and perception of mistreatment.

RESULTS: Six-hundred and fifty resident and attending physicians participated. There were statistically significant differences in perception of mistreatment across specialties for three of the five scenarios: aggressive questioning (range 74.1%-91.2%), negative feedback (range 25.4%-63.7%), and assignment of inappropriate tasks (range 5.5%-25.5%) (P ≤ .001, for all). After adjusting for gender, race, professional role, and prior mistreatment, physicians in surgery viewed three scenarios (aggressive questioning, negative feedback, inappropriate tasks) as less likely to represent mistreatment compared to internal medicine physicians. Physicians from obstetrics and gynecology and from “other” specialties perceived less mistreatment in two scenarios (aggressive questioning, negative feedback) while family physicians perceived more mistreatment in one scenario (negative feedback) compared to internal medicine physicians. The mean severity of perceived mistreatment on a 1 to 7 scale (7 most serious) also varied statistically significantly across the specialties for three scenarios: aggressive questioning (range 4.4-5.4, P < .001), ethnic insensitivity (range 5.1-6.1, P = .001), and sexual harassment (range 5.5-6.3, P = .004).

CONCLUSIONS: Specialty was associated with differences in the perception of mistreatment and in the rating of its severity. Further investigation is needed to understand why these perceptions of mistreatment vary among specialties and how to address these differences.

PMID:34192722 | DOI:10.1097/ACM.0000000000004223

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Visual Examination, Fluorescence-Aided Caries Excavation (FACE) Technology, Bitewing X-Ray Radiography in the Detection of Occlusal Caries in First Permanent Molars in Children

J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2021 Jul 1;45(3):152-157. doi: 10.17796/1053-4625-45.3.2.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To compare the effectiveness of visual examination, radiographic examination and fluorescence-aided caries excavation (FACE) in detecting occlusal caries in first permanent molars in 150 children aged 6-14 years with intact occlusal surface with caries lesions without cavitation, or with darkened or deep fissures that had no clear diagnosis.

STUDY DESIGN: Two dentists independently performed a visual oral examination, FACE and bitewing radiography. The inter-rater reliability of each detection method was determined and their specificity and sensitivity.

RESULTS: All caries detection methods showed high inter-rater reliability with absolute agreement between raters above 90%. Most caries lesions were detected by visual (75.8%) and FACE (79.1%), while only 28.8% of lesions were detected by radiography. Detection by visual examination was strongly correlated with detection by FACE (X2=37.9, Phi=0.498, p<0.001). A lower, yet statistically significant, correlation was found between visual examination and X-ray radiography (X2=5.53, Phi=0.190, p<0.001). FACE had higher sensitivity (87%) and specificity (65%) for detecting occlusal caries in comparison with radiography (60% specificity and 55% sensitivity).

CONCLUSION: Although visual examination remains the best method to detect occlusal caries in young permanent molars in children, FACE is an effective and accurate diagnostic tool that may aid in detection and treatment decisions.

PMID:34192750 | DOI:10.17796/1053-4625-45.3.2

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Shear Bond Strength of Different MDP-Containing Adhesive Systems on Enamel and Dentin from Primary Teeth

J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2021 Jul 1;45(3):186-192. doi: 10.17796/1053-4625-45.3.7.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare the shear bond strength (SBS) after thermocycling of four universal adhesives applied in self-etch mode on dentin and etch-and-rinse mode on enamel.

STUDY DESIGN: Flat 144 buccal or lingual dentin and enamel surfaces from 72 non-carious primary molars were prepared. Samples were segregated into 12 groups (n=12): Adper Single Bond 2 etch-and-rinse (SB_T) and Clearfil SE Bond self-etch (SE_S) applied to enamel and dentin served as controls. Scotch Bond Universal Adhesive (SBU), Clearfil S3 Bond Universal Adhesive (SEU), Tetric N-Bond Universal Adhesive (TEN), and All Bond Universal (BIS) were applied in etch-and-rinse mode to enamel and in self-etch mode to dentin. They were thermocycled for 5000 cycles. SBS testing and the evaluation of fracture mode were performed.

RESULTS: SB_T showed statistically higher SBS than other adhesive groups using etch-and-rinse mode on enamel. SE_S and BIS had statistically higher SBS than other adhesive groups using self-etch mode on dentin. Mixed failure was the most common failure mode in each group.

CONCLUSION: The universal adhesives did not show higher SBS than SB_T when using etch-and-rinse on enamel. All universal adhesives showed higher SBS than SB_T and had SBS similar to SE_S, except SBU when using self-etch mode on dentin.

PMID:34192754 | DOI:10.17796/1053-4625-45.3.7

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Trends of Femoral Neck Fracture Treatment Using Total Hip Arthroplasty: Reported From the American Joint Replacement Registry

J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2021 Jun 30. doi: 10.5435/JAAOS-D-21-00132. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) rather than hemiarthroplasty for displaced femoral neck fracture (FNF) is often chosen for younger patients who are more active and/or have underlying hip osteoarthritis. However, instability remains the primary concern of doing THA. Dual mobility (DM) has been shown to decrease this risk through a larger effective head size and greater head-to-neck ratio compared with conventional THA. The purpose of this study was to identify femoral head size and DM usage patterns for the treatment of FNF with THA in the United States using the American Joint Replacement Registry.

METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted, including all primary THAs done for FNF from 2012 to 2019. THA and FNF were defined using Current Procedural Terminology or International Classification of Diseases-9 or -10 diagnosis and procedure codes. Analysis was based on patient demographics, femoral head size, and DM usage. Descriptive statistics were used using a Pearson chi-square test. All analyses were conducted using SAS version 9.4, and statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.

RESULTS: There were 18,752 THAs done by 3,242 surgeons at 789 institutions during the 8-year study period. The overall population was 66% female, and the mean age was 72.3 ± 11.8 years. The most commonly used femoral head size was 36 mm (48.5%) followed by 32 mm (24.5%), ≤28 mm (10.7%), DM (10.8%), and ≥40 mm (5.7%). A trend was observed toward decreased use of ≤28, 32, and ≥40-mm heads starting in 2016 across the years and increased use of 36-mm heads (P < 0.0001). A significant increase was observed in the usage of DM over time from 6.4% in 2012 to 16.2% in 2019 (P < 0.0001).

DISCUSSION: Most of the femoral heads used were ≥36 mm, and the use of DM increased during the study period. Additional analysis is warranted to understand how these trends will affect overall outcomes and postoperative dislocation rates.

PMID:34192715 | DOI:10.5435/JAAOS-D-21-00132

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Workplace-Based Entrustment Scales for the Core EPAs: A Multisite Comparison of Validity Evidence for Two Proposed Instruments Using Structured Vignettes and Trained Raters

Acad Med. 2021 Jun 29. doi: 10.1097/ACM.0000000000004222. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: In undergraduate medical education (UME), competency-based medical education has been operationalized through the thirteen Core Entrustable Professional Activities for Entering Residency (Core EPAs). Direct observation in the workplace using rigorous, valid, reliable measures is required to inform summative decisions about graduates’ readiness for residency. The purpose of this study is to investigate the validity evidence of two proposed workplace-based entrustment scales.

METHOD: The authors of this multisite, randomized, experimental study used structured vignettes and experienced raters to examine validity evidence of the Ottawa scale and the UME supervisory tool (Chen scale) in 2019. The authors used a series of 8 cases (6 developed de novo) depicting learners at pre-entrustable (less-developed) and entrustable (more-developed) skill levels across 5 Core EPAs. Participants from Core EPA pilot institutions rated learner performance using either the Ottawa or Chen scale. The authors used descriptive statistics and analysis of variance to examine data trends and compare ratings, conducted inter-rater reliability and generalizability studies to evaluate consistency among participants, and performed a content analysis of narrative comments.

RESULTS: Fifty clinician-educators from 10 institutions participated, yielding 579 discrete EPA assessments. Both the Ottawa and Chen scales differentiated between less- and more-developed skill levels (P < .001). The interclass correlation was good to excellent for all EPAs using Ottawa (range = .68-.91) and fair to excellent using Chen (range = .54-.83). Generalizability analysis revealed substantial variance in ratings attributable to the learner-EPA interaction (59.6% for Ottawa; 48.9% for Chen) suggesting variability for ratings was appropriately associated with performance on individual EPAs.

CONCLUSIONS: In a structured setting, both the Ottawa and Chen scale distinguished between pre-entrustable and entrustable learners; however, the Ottawa scale demonstrated more desirable characteristics. These findings represent a critical step forward in developing valid, reliable instruments to measure learner progression toward entrustment for the Core EPAs.

PMID:34192721 | DOI:10.1097/ACM.0000000000004222